When she came to Wonderland, the territories were at war. The the time she had spent there made her fully believe, with all of her heart, that they were almost at peace. But, unbeknownst to her, something else was creeping up – a ruthless, violent, bloody war. A war that would challenge her very feelings of security, to say the least.

Sounds of far off gun shots could be heart from the Clock Tower, at which the foreigner resided. "Julius, you're sure you're not going to be pulled into this war with everyone else?"

The man sighed, putting down his wrench and taking off his glasses, rubbing the arch of his nose. "Alice, if every time there was a war here and we got dragged into it, there would be no neutral area at all."

"B-but, what about everyone else?"

"The other role holders, other then giving the commands on how to fight, haven't been involved in a war for ages, not saying it can't happen, just that it's unlikely is all."

"What's going to happen then?"

A loud boom could be heard coming form the Hatter's Mansion. "Looks like Gowland's finally made his move at the mafia."

She looked confused at the man. "Aren't they attacking Vivaldi? Won't they be understaffed?"

"Don't underestimate Blood and the rest of them, it's Vivaldi you should be worried be worried about. Right now, the castle is very understaffed. If this carries on, Ace or Peter may have to get involved. If that happens, it most likely will cause a ripple effect, then all hell will break loose."

"Then can't I-"

"Do something?" he said in a harsh tone. "What could you do? You can't fight, you can't even defend yourself. Seeing people cut down is common for us, what about you?" She looked away form his piercing gaze. "You're just a foreigner who can't do anything but sit back and watch."

"But, couldn't I-"

"A foreigner is a foreigner. If you hate fighting, then don't go in a war zone. You're life is irreplaceable, while our's are not."

She lowered her head. It hurt her hearing Julius say such cold words toward her. A foreigner, a foreigner, a foreigner. His words ran in her head, piercing her heart every time. She was a foreigner, but she could surely, do something, right?

He silently sighed, clutching his fists. She was fragile, breakable in so many ways. She wasn't like him, like the other role holders. But, she was also like them, also having a role to fulfill – the role of the foreigner. But, also unlike them; her role wasn't always filled immediately, because it wasn't needed.

"Having fun? It's rare seeing you two fight," said Ace, leaning against the doorframe. He laughed at the two's shocked faces as he walked over to Julius. Then he dropped a bloodstained bag which fell onto the desk with a loud clunk.

The Mortician looked down, observing the bad of clocks. "Isn't this a lot, or rather," he looked back down at the bag full of clocks, "isn't this more than you've ever given me?"

"For old times sake."

"What are you talking about, Ace," interrupted the girl.

"Last batch."

"You don't mean to say?"

"That's right!" he laughed. "I was called to do my job. Once I go, the others will come too. I'm not so worried about the cat than I am the twins. Then there's Elliot – not that much of a problem."

"The ripple effect," muttered Julius, hands folded, resting his chin on them, his eyes closed, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Alice stood there in complete distress, silently listening to their conversation. "Why did everyone just start fighting all of a sudden?"

"It wasn't sudden, just postponed. Since Alice arrived, it threw everyone off. You could say it was a time of peace...only for a while." Her eyes were filled with sadness, making even the knight not able to laugh it off. "I'm sorry, Alice," he said, bending down and running his fingers through her hair. "Goodbye," he whispered, kissing her forehead.

Her sorrow-filled eyes widened with a shock, but as he took his lips off her, once again, filled with sadness, knowing all too well, that when he finished, he'd disappear, leaving to fulfill his duties as the Knight of Hearts. And, leave he did, all the while the girl watched his back from the window until it couldn't be seen anymore.

She opened her mouth wide, and with strong determination shouted, "Julius! I'm going to see Gowland!" She didn't look back at him and she didn't wait; she ran.

"Alice!" the man jumped up in protest, but was too late. "It would have been safer if you'd of just stayed here. But, that isn't much like you to just sit back and watch, is it?"

He took a glance out the window. Her figure slowly disappeared from his view. "I'm sorry Alice."

.

"Gowland?" called Alice, hands cupped to her mouth. She sighed. "Where is everyone?"

The place was deserted, not a soul there, besides the girl. Not even one trace of Boris or Gowland.

"Alice, what are you doing here?"

"BORIS!" shouted Alice, turning around. "Where have you been? No," she corrected, shaking her head, "where's Gowland? I need to talk to him?"

"Well, you're not gonna find anyone here. But, if you need to talk to the old man, I can take you to him," he offered.

"Really?"

"Be warned, he's in a rather bad mood," he warned her, turning around to guide her to him.

.

"Gowland?" she called, knocking on the door. "It's Alice. I'm sorry for intruding on you."

He looked up from the detailed map of wonderland and walked to the door. "Ah, and what brings you here, sweetie?"

She laughed, breathing a sigh of relief. "Sorry for intruding."

"Not at all! Alice is always welcome here! Whenever you feel like it, just come on over."

"Thanks; I'll do that."

"What did you want to talk to him about?" reminded Boris.

"What'd ya need?"

"Well," she began, "I wanted to talk to you about the war."

His face became serious. "So, I'm guessing Julius couldn't hide it anymore?"

Alice laughed. "It's kinda hard to when even I can hear it. He also told me you attacked Blood. Are you okay?"

The man sighed, running his fingers threw his hair. And in a serious voice, replied, "What all do you know?"

"I know Julius isn't gonna fight, Blood's attacking Vivaldi while you're attacking Blood," she stopped, and looked down at the ground. "And I know Ace is fighting," she whispered.

Both role holders looked at her in silence. "Alice, I don't think you should get involved in this. Stay with Julius...It's safer there," he whispered.

"Alice is just a foreigner, after all. You shouldn't get involved with things that don't concern you," said Boris.

Her eyes widened. Again. Again she was called a foreigner and disregarded. "It does!" she shouted, before dashing off.

"Alice," they both yelled. But their efforts were in vain, for by the time it reached her, she was long gone.